On Wednesday 23rd December, as EU countries isolated UK into lockdown over a new variant of the coronavirus, a group of Sikh volunteers delivered almost 2,000 hot meals to lorry drivers stranded in Kent.
Volunteers from Khalsa Aid have travelled around 210 miles (338km) to take warm food to hauliers hit by the travel ban between the UK and France when almost 5,000 lorries were stuck there.
Speaking to Sky News, Khalsa Aid founder Ravi Singh informed that his group of "amazing volunteers" from Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Gravesend, Kent helped cook 500 chickpea curry with rice meals and 300 tomato and mushroom pasta dishes. The group reportedly also received a donation of 1,000 pizzas from a local Sikh businessman in Sittingbourne.
He said, "In our faith there's a community kitchen called langar - where anyone can come and eat, regardless of race or religion. That's what inspires us to help people. The drivers are very happy to see us and the food. It's tough for them not knowing what's happening. With Christmas around the corner, you don't have to be a Christian to believe in the season of goodwill - you can be a Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, whatever… as long as you're a good human being. As Sikhs we pray for the wellbeing of all mankind every day."
Rail, air and sea services between the two countries have resumed after France eased its travel ban. French citizens, British nationals living in France and hauliers are among those now able to travel - if they have a recent negative test.
